Ethan Couch's lawyer claimed rich teenager was victim of 'affluenza'

A rich teenager in Texas who killed four people while driving under the influence of drugs and drink got a slap on the wrist after his lawyers argued he was the victim of “affluenza.”

Ethan Couch received 10 years probation — rather than the possible 20-year jail term he faced as a result of his irresponsible actions.

His lawyers said the 16-year-old had been so spoiled by his doting and affluent parents he had no idea of the consequence of his actions or the concept of taking responsibility for what he did.

Dr. G. Dick Miller, a psychologist hired by the defence said Couch was never disciplined, abused alcohol and had “freedoms no young person should have,” including being allowed to drive when he was 13.

“The teen never learned to say that you’re sorry if you hurt someone,” Dr. Miller added, according to a report in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “If you hurt someone, you sent him money.”

Couch was a victim of “affluenza,” a rich-kid syndrome that led him to believe money solved everything.

The sentence can only confirm the young man’s sense of entitlement. His parents will pay US$450,000 to send him for mandatory therapy — money far beyond the capacity of most criminal defendants.

The victims’ families were stunned by the decision of State District Judge Jean Boyd.

“We had over 180 years of life taken, future life not 180 years lived, but 180 years of future life taken and two of those were my wife and daughter,” said Eric Boyles.

Hollie Boyles, 52, and Shelby, 21, went to help Breanna Mitchell, 24, after her SUV broke down on a dark country road near Burleson, Tex., south of Fort Worth.

Brian Jennings, 41, a youth pastor, also pulled over to see if he could help.

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All four were killed when Couch, high on Valium and alcohol, plowed into them at the wheel of his pickup truck at an estimated speed of 112 kilometres per hour.

They were not the only victims: 11 people in all, were injured including two teens who were left paralyzed after being thrown from the truck on that June night.

The vehicle also hit a parked car, sending it into a Volkswagen Beetle driving in the opposite direction.

We had over 180 years of life taken, future life not 180 years lived, but 180 years of future life taken and two of those were my wife and daughter

The youths had been partying with beer they stole from Walmart and were looking for more booze.

Couch admitted to being under the influence. At the time of the crash, his blood alcohol was three times above the legal limit.

Speaking about the punishment of probation, Scott Brown, his lawyer, said, “There is nothing the judge could have done to lessen the suffering for any of those families.”

Couch’s lawyers argued the boy’s parents should share the blame for the crash, because they gave him everything he wanted. They pleaded for a sentence that involved therapy in southern California, rather than putting him behind bars.

“She [the judge] fashioned a sentence that is going to keep Ethan under the thumb of the justice system for the next 10 years,” Mr. Brown said.

“And if Ethan doesn’t do what he’s supposed to do, if he has one misstep at all then this judge or an adult judge when he’s transferred can then incarcerate him.”

Judge Boyd’s decision left the victims families’ bereft and enraged.

“Money always seems to keep Ethan out of trouble,” said Mr. Boyles.

This was one time I did ask the court, that for justice, for money not to prevail and ultimately today I felt like money did prevail

“This was one time I did ask the court, that for justice, for money not to prevail and ultimately today I felt like money did prevail.”

Couch and his parents — his father owns a metal roofing company — face at least five lawsuits from families of his victims claiming millions in damages.